Draper cruises past Lehecka to reach Paris second round
British number one Jack Draper cruises through to the second round of the Paris Masters with a straight-set win over the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka.
British number one Jack Draper cruises through to the second round of the Paris Masters with a straight-set win over the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka.
‘Part of the furniture’: How Medvedev booked his Turin return
Spaniard Martin Landaluce made his mark in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah nine days ago when he leaped to eighth after he won his second ATP Challenger Tour title of the season in Italy.
The 18-year-old is on 348 points and now occupies the final qualification spot with six weeks to go until the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. With the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah heating up and Landaluce not competing this week, the chasing pack will look to make their moves in the coming days at their respective Challenger Tour events.
PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah
Player | Points |
1) Arthur Fils | 2330 |
2) Alex Michelsen | 1195 |
3) Jakub Mensik | 1136 |
4) Shang Juncheng | 1115 |
5) Luca Van Assche | 478 |
6) Learner Tien | 433 |
7) Joao Fonseca | 379 |
8) Martin Landaluce | 348 |
9) Coleman Wong | 328 |
10) Vilius Gaubas | 292 |
11) Henrique Rocha | 286 |
12) Nishesh Basavareddy | 280 |
Ninth-placed Coleman Wong (328 points), who became the first Hong Kong player since 1972 to win an ATP Tour match in September, earned a first-round victory at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Seoul on Tuesday and will eye a deep run to close the gap on Landaluce.
Lithuanian’s Vilius Gaubas (292 points) is 10th and is competing in Guayaquil. Gaubas, who has won a Challenger Tour crown in 2024, has not played since early October. Portugal’s Henrique Rocha (286 points) is 11th and also plays in Guayaquil, while 12th-placed American Nishesh Basavareddy (280) is in action on home soil in Charlottesville.
The 19-year-old Basavareddy is aiming to make his debut in Jeddah and has put himself in qualification contention after winning nine of his past 11 matches.
Above the dotted qualification line, fifth-placed Luca Van Assche (478 points) and sixth-placed Learner Tien (433 points) will aim to further cement their Jeddah hopes at Challenger Tour events in Bratislava and Charlottesville, respectively.
The Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF will be held from 18-22 December at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
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Francisco Cerundolo racked up a century of tour-level wins in style on Tuesday at the Rolex Paris Masters.
The Argentine held his nerve to upset sixth seed Andrey Rublev 7-6(6), 7-6(5) to reach the third round at the indoor ATP Masters 1000 for a second successive year. In a pendulum-swinging battle, Cerundolo rallied from a break deficit in both sets to prevail, improving to a 3-1 lead in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
Big stage for a BIG milestone 👏🏟️@FranCerundolo brings up a century of tour-level wins by knocking out No. 6 seed Rublev, 7-6(6) 7-6(5)!#RolexParisMasters | @RolexPMasters pic.twitter.com/VFvTk3wmIm
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 29, 2024
The defeat is a setback in Rublev’s quest to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for a fifth consecutive year. The 27-year-old is eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, 165 points ahead of ninth-placed Alex de Minaur, who takes on Mariano Navone for a spot in round two in Paris.
The Live Race is heating up, but Rublev will be unable to amass further points at this week’s ATP Masters 1000 event. Meanwhile, fellow Turin hopefuls De Minaur (ninth), Grigor Dimitrov (10th) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (12th) are all still alive in Paris.
Cerundolo’s attacking prowess was on full display in his two-hour, 18-minute triumph. The 26-year-old struck 35 winners and won 86 per cent (6/7) of points at the net, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
With the triumph, Cerundolo registered his fourth win in seven matches against a Top 10 opponent in 2024. The No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings will next face Tsitsipas or Alejandro Tabilo for a place in the quarter-finals.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Taylor Fritz has qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals for the second time in the past three years. The American will compete at Inalpi Arena in Turin from 10-17 November.
The fifth player to earn his place at the season finale joins Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev in the field. He clinched his position one day after turning 27.
Fritz’s biggest moment of the year came at the US Open, where he advanced to his first major final. The home favourite became the first American male to make a Grand Slam singles final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
[ATP APP]This is also the third consecutive season in which Fritz has won multiple titles. He emerged victorious at Delray Beach and Eastbourne.
Fritz also made the final in Munich, battled to semi-finals in Madrid and Shanghai, and advanced to major quarter-finals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Two years ago, the American made his Nitto ATP Finals debut in Turin. Fritz went 2-1 in round-robin play, earning victories against Rafael Nadal and Felix Auger-Aliassime, before falling in the knockout semi-finals to Novak Djokovic.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]The inaugural edition of the Belgrade Open will be held at Beogradska Arena in Belgrade, Serbia. Alex de Minaur, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe headline the action.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the indoor hard-court event in Serbia:
When is the Belgrade Open?
The ATP 250 event will be held from 3-9 November, 2024. It will take place at Beogradska Arena in Belgrade, Serbia. The tournament director is Djordje Djokovic.
Who is playing at the Belgrade Open?
De Minaur, Paul, Tiafoe, Lozenzo Musetti and Marin Cilic are among the field in Metz.
When is the draw for the Belgrade Open?
The Belgrade Open draw will be made on Friday, 1 November after 4 p.m. local time (CET).
What is the schedule for the Belgrade Open?
Qualifying: Saturday, 2 November & Sunday, 3 November at 11 a.m.
Main Draw: Sunday 3, November at 3 p.m.
Monday, 3 November – Friday, 8 November at 11:00 a.m.
Doubles Final: Saturday, 9 November at 11:00 a.m.
Singles Final: Saturday, 9 November at 2:00 p.m.
View On Official Website
[ATP APP]What is the prize money and points for the Belgrade Open?
The prize money for the Belgrade Open is €750,000 and the Total Financial Commitment is €829,365.
SINGLES:
Winner: €114,055/ 250 points
Finalist: €66,555 / 165 points
Semi-finalist: €39,120/ 100 points
Quarter-finalist: €22,670/ 50 points
Round of 16: €13,165/ 25 points
Round of 28: €8,040/ 0 points
DOUBLES (€ per team):
Winner: €39,630 / 250 points
Finalist: €21,210 / 150 points
Semi-finalist: €12,430/ 90 points
Quarter-finalist: €6,940/ 45 points
Round of 16: €4,100/ 0 points
How can I watch the Belgrade Open?
Watch Live on TennisTV
TV Schedule
How can I follow the Belgrade Open?
YouTube: Serbia Open
Facebook: Serbia Open
Instagram: serbiaopen
View Who Is Playing, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
The 21st edition of the Moselle Open will be held at Les Arènes de Metz in Metz, France. Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, and Ugo Humbert headline the action.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of hard-court event in France:
When is the Moselle Open?
The ATP 250 event will be held from 3-9 November, 2024. It will take place at Les Arènes de Metz in Metz, France. The tournament director is Julien Boutter.
Who is playing at the Moselle Open?
Ruud, Rune, Humbert, Sebastian Korda, Matteo Berrettini and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard are among the field in Metz.
When is the draw for the Moselle Open?
The Moselle Open draw will be made on 1 November at 7 p.m. local time (CET).
What is the schedule for the Moselle Open?
Qualifying: Saturday, 2 November & Sunday, 3 November at 11 a.m.
Main Draw: Sunday, 3 November – Thursday, 7 November at 2 p.m.
Friday, 8 November at 1:30 p.m.
Doubles Final: Saturday, 9 November at 2 p.m.
Singles Final: Saturday, 9 November at 4:30 p.m.
View On Official Website
[ATP APP]What is the prize money and points for the Moselle Open?
The prize money for the Moselle Open is €579,320 and the Total Financial Commitment is €651,865.
SINGLES:
Winner: €88,125/ 250 points
Finalist: €51,400 / 165 points
Semi-finalist: €30,220/ 100 points
Quarter-finalist: €17,510/ 50 points
Round of 16: €10,165/ 25 points
Round of 28: €6,215/ 0 points
DOUBLES (€ per team):
Winner: €30,610 / 250 points
Finalist: €16,380 / 150 points
Semi-finalist: €9,600/ 90 points
Quarter-finalist: €5,370/ 45 points
Round of 16: €3,160/ 0 points
How can I watch the Moselle Open?
Watch Live on TennisTV
TV Schedule
How can I follow the Moselle Open?
Hashtag: #MoselleOpen
YouTube: Moselle Open
Facebook: Moselle Open
Instagram: moselleopen
Twitter: @MoselleOpen
Who won the last edition of the Moselle Open in 2023?
Metz native Humbert defeated Alexander Shevchenko in the final 6-3, 6-3 to win last year’s Moselle Open. The title helped him end 2023 as the French No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
Who holds the Moselle Open record for most titles, oldest champion, youngest champion and more?
Most Titles, Singles: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (4)
Oldest Champion: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 34, in 2019
Youngest Champion: Novak Djokovic, 19, in 2006
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2012
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 185 Jerome Haehnel in 2004
Most Match Wins: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (23)
View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
Arthur Fils further outlined his credentials as one of France’s hottest prospects on Tuesday at the Rolex Paris Masters, where he became the youngest home star to record a main-draw win at the ATP Masters 1000 event since Richard Gasquet in 2006.
The 20-year-old Fils overcame Croatian Marin Cilic 7-6(5), 6-4 to reach the second round in Paris.
Courtside win with @ArthurFils1 💪
The home crowd is loving it 📣📣📣@RolexPMasters | #RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/ZxcAbgopzJ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 29, 2024
In a high-energy display inside Court Central, Fils rallied from a break down at 5-6 in the first set and then upped the aggression during a second set in which he notched 11 winners in the set to advance past Cilic. He recorded victory in one hour and 35 minutes in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.
Fils, who is first in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, has earned 36 tour-level wins this season. No Frenchman has recorded more victories in 2024, with Ugo Humbert second on 35.
Fils has won ATP 500 titles in Hamburg and Tokyo this year and will continue the quest for his first ATP Masters 1000 crown when he takes on Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.
On a successful day for France, French wild card Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard continued his red-hot form by downing American Frances Tiafoe 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-3.
“It means a lot to win in front of a French crowd,” Mpetshi Perricard said. “It was an amazing match for me. I did some good things, some bad things at times but it happens. The most important thing is the win and now I need to be focused.”
The 21-year-old fired 28 aces en route to his two-hour, five-minute win and has now surpassed the 500 ace mark for the season. Mpetshi Perricard, who has struck 512 aces in just 27 matches according to Infosys ATP Stats, will play Karen Khachanov or Christopher O’Connell in the second round.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in action in Paris. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Mpetshi Perricard has won his past six matches, having lifted the biggest trophy of his career at the ATP 500 in Basel last week. The No. 31 player in the PIF ATP Rankings holds a standout 5-1 record against Top 20 players in 2024.
Earlier, the big-serving German Struff defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-2, ending the Italian’s faint hopes of competing at the Nitto ATP Finals in November. Struff fired nine aces and won 82 per cent (37/45) of his first-serve points in his 77-minute win.
Hubert Hurkacz’s Turin hopes also came to an end on Tuesday morning in Paris. #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen dispatched the Pole 6-1, 6-3 to reach the second round on debut in the French capital.
Hurkacz arrived in Paris 13th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and required a final run at the indoor hard event to have any chance of playing in northern Italy next month. Andrey Rublev (3,720 points) currently occupies the final qualification spot in eighth, with fifth-placed Taylor Fritz (4,300 points), seventh-placed Casper Ruud (3,855 points), ninth-placed Alex de Minaur (3,555 points), 10th-placed Grigor Dimitrov (3,150 points) and 12th-placed Stefanos Tsitsipas (3,015 points) all still alive in Paris.
Michelsen, second in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah, will meet Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in the second round. The 20-year-old has reached tour-level finals in Newport and Winston-Salem in 2024.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Rolex Paris Masters due to a virus. The Italian announced the news during a press conference on Tuesday.
“It’s a very tough announcement,” Sinner said. “I’m not going to play here in Paris. We came here very early to prepare in the best possible way. After the first practise session, I really didn’t felt good. I also talked with the doctor on Sunday, it’s a virus, what makes you feel better in three or four days.
“Today I feel better already a little bit, but the body is not ready to compete and I still feel very, very weak. It doesn’t make sense to go on court and try to compete for this tournament. [I am very] disappointed because it’s a tournament where I would like to see where my level is at. That was one of my main goals for this week. But unfortunately I cannot make this happen.”
[ATP APP]Sinner holds a 65-6 record on the season and has already clinched ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours. The 23-year-old Italian, who has won a Tour-lead seven titles in 2024, was aiming to make his fourth appearance in Paris.
The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings will next head to Turin to lead the field at the Nitto ATP Finals, held from 10-17 November.
“The most important part is to recover and get back physically 100 per cent,” Sinner added. “The next three, four days, I [hope to] feel better and then I can start to hit and the main goal is going to be Turin.”
Frenchman Arthur Cazaux has received a lucky loser spot and will face Ben Shelton or Corentin Moutet in the second round.
[NEWSLETTER FORM]Britain’s Katie Boulter sees off the challenge of Japan’s Aoi Ito in her opening match at the Hong Kong Open.